Singapore concerned by rat disease outbreak

Tuesday, 8 December 1998 The Lab

Health officials in Singapore have been alarmed by the rising incidence of a rare infectious disease transmitted in rat urine.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that causes jaundice, menigitus and kidney and liver complications that has infected at least 14 people in Singapore this year. Although infection rates are still low, the figures are climbing and four people have died from the disease in the last five years.

A recent epidemic of leptospirosis in the northern Thai province of Prae killed at least nine people and hospitalised 100, prompting authorities there to offer a bounty on rats.

The bacteria are carried in the organs and urine of rodents, frogs, rabbits and snakes. Victims often contract the disease through contact with contaminated water. Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, severe headache, muscle pains and swollen livers, and are often misdiagnosed as the flu. If detected early, the illness is easily treated.

Singapore's environment ministry has stepped up its checks for rats which, despite the general cleanliness of the city, are frequently seen at night in outdoor food centres and older suburbs.